Consumer Reports has tips on how to save you money and turn you into a more savvy traveler.

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Updated: 5:58 PM EST Dec 5, 2018

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WEBVTT NBC’S DAVID SCHNEIDER H SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO AFFORD -- AVOID EXTRA CHARGES AT HOTELS. DAVI THERE ARE WAYS TO AVOID SNEAKY FEES ON YOUR NEXT TRIP. LIZ IT LOOKS RELAXED NOW BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HER THE DAY SHE CHECKED OUT OF THE HOTEL AFTER VISITING HER DAUGHTER IN COLLEGE. THE BILL INCLUDED AN UNEXPECTED DAILY CHARGE FOR THE IN ROOM SAFE. >> IT IS SNEAKY. IF IT COSTS EXTRA, LET ME KNOW UP FRONT. DAVI CONSUMER REPORTS READERS SHARED SEVERAL STORIES COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF HIDDEN FEES. NOT EVEN IN ROOM SAFE, TOWEL FEES, RESO FEES, BEACH CHAIR FEES, SOME HOTELS CHARGE RECYCLING FEES. HOTELS KNOW THEY ARE SHOPPING BY PRICE. THEY MAKE UP THE REVENUE ON THE BACKEND WITH FEES. DAVID: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO AVOID HOTEL CHARGES? CONSUMER REPORTS ADVISES REACHING OUT DIRECTLY, PARTICULARLY IF YOU PLAN ON BOOKING THROUGH A THIRD-PARTY. ASK ABOUT CHARGES FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE ROOM OR CHARGES. PLANNING O CHECKING IN EARLY OR OUTLAY IT COULD COST YOU EXTRA. YOU JOINED A HOTEL LOYALTY PROGRAM. SOMETHING A LOT OF HOTELS HAVE, YOU MAY FIND THAT SOME OF THE FEES ARE WAIVED. DAVID: DON’T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP. WHEN LIZ COMPLAINED THAT SHE NEVER OPEN THE SAFE, HE TOOK THE CHARGE OFF THE BILL IMMEDIATELY. ONE TINY SILVER LINING TO THESE FEES IS THAT OCCUPANCY TAXES ON HOTEL BILLS ARE BASED ON THE PRICE OF THE ROOM ITSELF, NOT THE TOTAL BILL.

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How to avoid hidden fees during your next hotel stay

Consumer Reports has tips on how to save you money and turn you into a more savvy traveler.